In entering her plea, Cascio acknowledged that she assaulted another woman staying at LACASA and that in doing so she placed the woman in fear of a sexual battery.

Cascio also was charged with unarmed robbery for allegedly stealing the woman’s rings, but that charge was dismissed at the District Court level.

Bobette Schrandt, LACASA president and CEO, said she could neither confirm nor deny whether Cascio received services at LACASA due to the confidential nature of the nonprofit organization, whose mission is to protect and advocate for victims and survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.

However, she could confirm there was an incident — the first in the 30-year organization’s history. In the last 14 years, the organization has provided 46,439 shelter nights of care without incident.

“This incident is a rare incident,” Schrandt said. “It’s the only one in the history. ... We support the victim and made sure the victim knew all the options available to (her) and we supported the victim in (her) decision. We’ve been cooperative with the prosecutor, law enforcement and the courts.”

Schrandt said LACASA has shelter policies and procedures in place regarding safety and should any incidents occur, they are immediately addressed. She said officials routinely review and revise policies as needed to ensure client safety.

“We do deal with humans and humans do have the capability of doing things, like being sneaky and manipulative,” she said. “Safety is our utmost concern. We know women who come here are here because they are victims. Victim safety is our No. 1 priority.”